An improved cut-based recursive decomposition algorithm for reliability analysis of networks

In this paper, an improved cut-based recursive decomposition algorithm is proposed for lifeline networks. First, a complementary structural function is established and three theorems are presented as a premise of the proposed algorithm. Taking the minimal cut of a network as decomposition policy, the proposed algorithm constructs a recursive decomposition process. During the decomposition, both the disjoint minimal cut set and the disjoint minimal path set are simultaneously enumerated. Therefore, in addition to obtaining an accurate value after decomposing all disjoint minimal cuts and disjoint minimal paths, the algorithm provides approximate results which satisfy a prescribed error bound using a probabilistic inequality. Two example networks, including a large urban gas system, are analyzed using the proposed algorithm. Meanwhile, a part of the results are compared with the results obtained by a path-based recursive decomposition algorithm. These results show that the proposed algorithm provides a useful probabilistic analysis method for the reliability evaluation of lifeline networks and may be more suitable for networks where the edges have low reliabilities.

Resolution of Two Unequally Bright Points of Apodized Optical Systems with Asymmetric Circular Antenna Arrays

Sparrow criterion of resolution is used for assessment of the resolution of two object points of apodized optical systems under incoherent illumination of light. Semicircular arrays of circular aperture with discrete asymmetric apodization have suppressed side-lobes and a narrower central peak in the image plane termed as PSF good side on alternatively the right and left of the strong spectral point facilitates to detect the presence of weak spectral point in the vicinity of bright spectral point. The results of investigations on optimum discrete pupil function with semicircular arrays on the intensity distributions in the composite image of two object points with widely varying in their intensities under various degree of coherence of illumination have been studied. Sparrow resolution limits and the dip in central intensity as function of degree of coherence of the illumination (γ), intensity ratio (α), degree of asymmetric apodization (b) and number of discrete elements in semicircular array (n). The efficiency of aperture functions is discussed in terms of these parameters. Pupil function capabilities in redistribution of energy in composite image of two object points in close vicinity have been verified for different considerations. Current study has found an improvement in two-point resolution characteristics compared to their unapodized counter part. Fourier analytical properties of an optical system are presented for evaluation of this practical problem.

The empirical relationships between M_S,m_band M_L for China and vicinity

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Uncertainties in estimation of extrapolated annual occurence rate of earthquakes using logical tree

he logical tree methods are used for evaluate quantitatively relationship between frequency and magnitude, and deduce uncertainties of annual occurrence rate of earthquakes in the periods of lower magnitude earthquake. The uncertainties include deviations from the self-similarity of frequency-magnitude relations, different fitting methods, different methods obtained the annual occurrence rate, magnitude step used in fitting, start magnitude, error of magnitude and so on. Taking Xianshuihe River source zone as an example, we analyze uncertainties of occurrence rate of earthquakes M4, which is needed in risk evaluation extrapolating from frequency-magnitude relations of stronger earthquakes. The annual occurrence rate of M4 is usually required for seismic hazard assessment.The sensitivity analysis and examinations indicate that, in the same frequencymagnitude relations fitting method, the most sensitive factor is annual occurrence rate, the second is magnitude step and the following is start magnitude. Effect of magnitude error is rather small.Procedure of estimating the uncertainties is as follows:①Establishing a logical tree described uncertainties in frequencymagnitude relations by available data and knowledge about studied region.② Calculating frequencymagnitude relations for each end branches. ③ Examining sensitivities of each uncertainty factors, amending structure of logical tree and adjusting original weights. ④ Recalculating frequencymagnitude relations of end branches and complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) in each magnitude intervals.⑤ Obtaining an annual occurrence rate of M4 earthquakes under given fractiles.Taking fractiles as 20% and 80%, annual occurrence rate of M 4 events in Xianshuihe seismic zone is 0.643 0. The annual occurrence rate is 0.631 8 under fractiles of 50%, which is very close to that under fractiles 20% and 80%.

Brain functional connectivity network studies of acupuncture： a systematic review on resting-state fMRI

Background： Functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） is a novel method for studying the changes of brain networks due to acupuncture treatment. In recent years, more and more studies have focused on the brain functional connectivity network of acupuncture stimulation. Objective： To offer an overview of the different influences of acupuncture on the brain functional connec- tivity network from studies using resting-state fMRI. Search strategy： The authors performed a systematic search according to PRISMA guidelines, The database PubMed was searched from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2016 with restriction to human studies in English language. Inclusion criteria： Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed using the keywords ＂acupuncture＂ and ＂neuroimaging＂ or ＂resting-state fMRI＂ or ＂functional connectivity＂, Data extraction and analysis： Selection of included articles, data extraction and methodological quality assessments were respectively conducted by two review authors. Results： Forty-four resting-state fMRI studies were included in this systematic review according to inclu- sion criteria. Thirteen studies applied manual acupuncture vs. sham, four studies applied electro- acupuncture vs. sham, two studies also compared transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation vs. sham, and nine applied sham acupoint as control. Nineteen studies with a total number of 574 healthy subjects selected to perform fMRI only considered healthy adult volunteers. The brain functional connec- tivity of the patients had varying degrees of change. Compared with sham acupuncture, verum acupunc- ture could increase default mode network and sensorimotor network connectivity with pain-, affective- and memory-related brain areas. It has significantly greater connectivity of genuine acupuncture between the periaqueductal gray, anterior cingulate cortex, left posterior cingulate cortex, right anterior insula, limbic/paralimbic and precuneus compared with sham acupuncture. Some research had also shown that acupuncture could adjust the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network, brainstem, cerebellum, subcortical and hippocampus brain areas. Conclusion： It can be presumed that the functional connectivity network is closely related to the mech- anism of acupuncture, and central integration plays a critical role in the acupuncture mechanism.

The cooperative and conflictual interactions between the United States,Russia,and China:A quantitative analysis of event data

The United States,Russia and China are militarily and economically among the most powerful countries in the post-Cold War period,and the interactions between the three powers heavily influence the international system.However,different conclusions about this question are generally made by researchers through qualitative analysis,and it is necessary to objectively and quantitatively investigate their interactions.Monthly-aggregated event data from the Global Data on Events,Location and Tone(GDELT)to measure cooperative and conflictual interactions between the three powers,and the complementary cumulative distribution function(CCDF)and the vector autoregression(VAR)method are utilized to investigate their interactions in two periods:January,1991 to September,2001,and October,2001 to December,2016.The results of frequencies and strengths analysis showed that:the frequencies and strengths of USA-China interactions slightly exceeded those of USA-Russia interactions and became the dominant interactions in the second period.Although that cooperation prevailed in the three dyads in two periods,the conflictual interactions between the USA and Russia tended to be more intense in the second period,mainly related to the strategic contradiction between the USA and Russia,especially in Georgia,Ukraine and Syria.The results of CCDF indicated that similar probabilities in the cooperative behaviors between the three dyads,but the differences in the probabilities of conflictual behaviors in the USA-Russia dyad showed complicated characteristic,and those between Russia and China indicated that Russia had been consistently giving China a hard time in both periods when dealing with conflict.The USA was always an essential factor in affecting the interactions between Russia and China in both periods,but China’s behavior only played a limited role in influencing the interactions between the USA-Russia dyad.Our study provides quantitative insight into the direct cooperative and conflictual interactions between the three dyads since the end of the Cold War and helps to understand their interactions better.

A random effects generalized linear model for reliability compositive evaluation

This paper first proposes a random effects generalized linear model to evaluate the storage life of one kind of high reliable and small sample-sized products by combining multi-sources information of products coming from the same population but stored at different environments. The relevant algorithms are also provided. Simulation results manifest the soundness and effectiveness of the proposed model.